Portable hand held controller for amusement device

ABSTRACT

A method of improving accuracy of a database of amusement device locations is described. A plurality of amusement devices are deployed at a plurality of locations. The database of amusement device locations is populated based on the deploying. A server receives over a network, from a portable device, a check-in request. The check-in request is associated with one of the amusement devices, and includes geographic location information associated with the portable device at the time the check-in request is made. The server compares the geographic location information received from the portable device with the location of the amusement device stored in the database, and updates the database based on the comparing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/539,423, filed on Sep. 26, 2011, entitled “PortableHand Held Controller for Amusement Device,” the entire contents of whichare incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to electronicamusement devices and systems. More particularly, embodiments of thepresent invention are directed to a system for remotely interacting withan amusement device using a portable device and using the interactivitydata to improve the accuracy of amusement device location information.

Amusement devices having electronic games for computers and touchscreensor other types of amusement devices are generally well known in the art.Amusement devices, such as game machines, which allow a user to selectgames from a video display are well known in the art, such as thosedisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,856,787 (“Itkis”), U.S. Pat. No. 5,575,717(“Houriet, Jr., et al.”), and U.S. Pat. No. 5,743,799 (“Houriet, Jr., etal.”), whose disclosure is incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety, and show a touchscreen for making a game selection from a menuof games. Such game machines or amusement devices typically operate uponinput of currency (e.g., coin, token, paper money, credit/debit cards orthe like) and are installed in venues such as bars, restaurants,airports, shopping malls, video arcades, casinos, or the like. Eachamusement device usually includes a plurality of content choices,including electronic games, animations, videos and audio files. The gamechoices may include card games, sports games, games of skill, games ofchance, action games, trivia games, or the like.

Often, it is preferable to allow players to interact with an amusementdevice deployed at a venue remotely. For example, where a patron wouldlike to request a song to be played by the amusement device, it ispreferable to allow the user to request the song without occupying themachine so that it remains available to be used by other venue patrons.Portable devices having wireless communications interfaces, such assmart phones, may be used for this type of remote interaction. However,in order for the user to interact with a specific amusement deviceremotely, the amusement device must be located so that commands may besent between the portable device and, indirectly, the desired amusementdevice. Previously, the only available information about amusementdevice locations was compiled when the amusement devices were deployedor serviced. This resulted in the location information being out of dateand often inaccurate.

It is therefore desirable to allow users to interact with proximatelylocated amusement devices. It is further desirable to improve theaccuracy of amusement device location information based on interactivitydata.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A method of improving accuracy of a database of amusement devicelocations is described. A plurality of amusement devices are deployed ata plurality of locations. The database of amusement device locations ispopulated based on the deploying. A server receives over a network, froma portable device, a check-in request. The check-in request isassociated with one of the amusement devices, and includes geographiclocation information associated with the portable device at the time thecheck-in request is made. The server compares the geographic locationinformation received from the portable device with the location of theamusement device stored in the database, and updates the database basedon the comparing.

In another embodiment, a method of improving accuracy of a database ofamusement device locations is described. A plurality of amusementdevices are deployed at a plurality of locations. Each of the pluralityof amusement devices is associated with a unique identifier that isaccessible to venue patrons. The database of amusement device locationsis populated with the plurality of locations at which the plurality ofamusement devices have been deployed. A server receives over a network,interaction data from a portable device associated with one of the venuepatrons. The received interaction data includes indicia of aninteraction with a unique identifier associated with an amusementdevice, and geographic location information associated with the portabledevice at the time of the interaction. The server updates the databaseof amusement device locations based on the indicia of interaction andthe received geographic location information.

In yet another embodiment, a method of updating a database of amusementdevice locations is described. The method includes deploying a pluralityof amusement devices at a plurality of distinct venues and populatingthe database of amusement device locations with the plurality of venuesat which the plurality of amusement devices have been deployed. A serverreceives over a network indicia of an interaction with a first amusementdevice from a portable device. The server determines that the firstamusement device is not associated with the correct venue name in thedatabase of amusement device locations and transmits a request to theportable device to enter a venue name of the venue at which the firstamusement device is deployed. The server updates the database ofamusement device locations with the provided venue name.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description ofpreferred embodiments of the invention, will be better understood whenread in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose ofillustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodimentswhich are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, thatthe invention is not limited to the precise arrangements andinstrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of an amusement device in accordance witha first preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of an amusement device in accordance witha second preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 1C is a perspective view of an amusement device in accordance witha third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an amusement system including acredit card transaction terminal in accordance with preferredembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a sequence diagram illustrating communications for performinga check-in of a user's portable device at a venue having an amusementdevice in accordance with preferred embodiments of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3B is an illustration of a venue list displayed by a portabledevice of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 3C is an illustration of a venue information list for a selectedvenue of FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating communications for checkinginto a specific amusement device at a venue in accordance with preferredembodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a sequence diagram illustrating communications for fulfillinga service request at a selected amusement device in accordance withpreferred embodiments of the present invention;

FIG. 5B is an illustration of an example of an available services listfor an amusement device of FIG. 5A;

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating steps for updating a database oflocation information in accordance with preferred embodiments of thepresent invention;

FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram illustrating communications for thedatabase update process of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8A is a schematic block diagram of various configurations of anamusement device system in accordance with certain preferred embodimentsof the present invention; and

FIG. 8B is a schematic block diagram of a gaming location having a localserver in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Certain terminology is used in the following description for convenienceonly and is not limiting. The words “right”, “left”, “lower”, and“upper” designate directions in the drawings to which reference is made.The terminology includes the above-listed words, derivatives thereof,and words of similar import. Additionally, the words “a” and “an”, asused in the claims and in the corresponding portions of thespecification, mean “at least one.” Further, the terms “coin” or“currency” should not be construed as limiting and can be used herein tomean all forms of coin and paper currency from any country as well asproprietary tokens, game cards, credit cards, debit cards, chits, orother representative forms of credit and/or payment.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numeralsindicate like elements throughout, there is shown in FIG. 1A a firstpreferred embodiment of an amusement device 10A. The amusement device10A includes a controller U1 and a memory U2. The memory U2 can be anyknown or suitable memory device such as random access memory (RAM), readonly memory (ROM), flash RAM, hard disk, optical disk, or the like. Theamusement device 10A further includes a video display 12A that isoperatively connected to the controller U1. The amusement device 10A ispreferably a counter-top or table-top apparatus, but may be arranged inany configuration, such as free-standing, floor-standing, table mount,wall mount, pole mount, and the like without departing from theinvention.

The amusement device 10A also includes at least one input component 14Athat receives value in order to establish one or more playable credits.The value received may be at least one of currency, coins, tokens,chits, credits, credit cards/debit cards or the like. Although two inputcomponents 14A are shown, the amusement device 10A may include anynumber of input components 14A to give a user options for payment, forpermitting multiple players, or the like. Preferably, the amusementdevice 10A is made operable upon actuation of the input component 14A,for example, the user may only select and play an electronic game oncevalue is received at the input component 14A and/or one or more playablecredits are issued to the user. However, free selections may be offeredat the discretion of an operator of the amusement device 10A.

FIG. 1B shows another or second amusement device 10B in accordance witha second preferred embodiment of the present invention. The secondamusement device 10B also includes a controller U1, a memory U2, a videodisplay 12B, and at least one input component 14B. Preferably, the videodisplays 12A, 12B are touchscreen video displays configured to accepttouch input.

FIG. 1C shows yet another or third portable amusement device 10C inaccordance with a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.The third amusement device 10C is a portable device, preferablybattery-powered, and includes a controller U1, memory U2, a display 12C,and at least one input component 14C. The third amusement device 10C ispreferably usable with a docking station (not shown). The dockingstation preferably secures the device 10C until access is required by anoperator or is paid for by a user. Release from the docking station mayoccur via an entry through the input component 14C, which is preferablya card reader. The docking station may also provide battery rechargingand other services to the amusement device 10C.

For convenience, the amusement devices 10A, 10B, 10C will be referred tohereinafter simply as “amusement device 10,” the displays 12A, 12B, 12Cwill be referred to hereinafter simply as “display 12,” and the inputcomponents 14A, 14B, 14C will be referred to hereinafter simply as“input component 14.”

Turning now to the operation of the amusement device 10, the memory U2stores one or more application programs, such as electronic games, amusic or video jukebox program, or the like, and a system controlprogram. However, the one or more application programs may also bestored remotely. The controller U1 controls the touchscreen display 12based upon the system control program retrieved from the memory U2 andbased upon inputs from the touchscreen display 12. As used herein, thesystem control program refers to all of the software functions outsideof the application program files including an operating system, deviceprofile, display control, input control, sound drivers, and the like.Other input devices which may be connected to the amusement device 10include a pushbutton(s), a trackball or touchpad, a mouse, a joy-stick,a foot-pedal, a voice recognition system, a keypad or keyboard, and thelike. But, preferably, the input device is the touchscreen display 12.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the amusement device 10 describedabove. The touchscreen display 12 is coupled to the controller U1. Alsocoupled to the controller U1 is a currency input 14. The currency input14 may accept at least one of coins (or tokens), currency (e.g. papermoney or the like), credit cards/debit cards, and the like. Althoughonly one currency input 14 is shown, the amusement device 10 may includemore than one input component 14 to give a user an option for payment,for permitting multiple players, or the like. Preferably, the amusementdevice 10 is made operable upon payment by a user, which may optionallybe received via the currency input 14.

The amusement device 10 also includes a communications component 18,such as an Ethernet port, a wireless transceiver, an infrared (IR) port,or the like. Using the communications component 18, the amusement device10 may communicate with other devices or file servers, access theInternet, communicate over wide area networks (WANs) or local areanetworks (LANs), or the like. For example, the amusement device 10 mayconnect with a second amusement device (not shown) using thecommunications component 18. The second amusement device optionallyincludes all of the same components and features as amusement device 10.The communications component 18 is connected to the controller U1 andthrough the controller U1 to the memory U2. The amusement device 10includes an operating mode and a setup mode. To switch from theoperating mode to the setup mode, when an operator is present at theamusement device 10, a mode selector pushbutton (hardware not shown) isprovided that is typically concealed from the users. The mode selectorpushbutton may be implemented as a hidden software feature, butpreferably the mode selector pushbutton is a simple pushbutton that isdisposed inside a housing of the amusement device 10. When the operatingmode is selected, a player or user is selectively permitted to accessthe application programs. When the setup mode is selected, theowner/operator is permitted to make system setup adjustments.

Users typically interact with the amusement device 10 using thetouchscreen display 12 or other input peripherals (keyboard, mouse,buttons, etc). However, certain services of the amusement device 10 maybe available to the user without physically interacting with theamusement device 10. In a preferred embodiment, a user remotelyinteracts with the amusement device 10 over a network. Preferably, thenetwork is the Internet and the user transmits service requests andother messages to the amusement device 10 through a forwarding agentsuch as a central server, local server, hub, router, switch, or thelike. Referring to FIG. 3A, the user communicates with the forwardingagent using a portable device 11 such as a smart phone, tablet computer,personal digital assistant, laptop or the like. The portable device 11preferably includes a wireless communications interface forcommunicating using a wide area network protocol such as 3G, WiMAX, 3GPPLong Term Evolution (“LTE”), IEEE 802.11 (“WiFi”) and the like.

The portable device 11 is configured to display one or more screens forinteracting with the amusement device 10 through the forwarding agent.An application configured to display the one or more screens on theportable device 11 may typically be downloaded from an application storesuch as the APPLE APP STORE, GOOGLE PLAY, AMAZON APPSTORE or the like.Alternatively, the portable device 11 may communicate with theforwarding agent or the amusement device 10 over the Internet by a userentering an IP address or website address corresponding to a homepage orweb application for interacting with the forwarding agent or theamusement device 10. Due to its central nature, the forwarding agent istypically easily located through a static IP address or website address.However, it is more challenging to identify a particular amusementdevice 10 that the user desires to communicate with. There are typicallya large number of similar amusement devices 10 deployed at variousgeographic locations, each of the deployed amusement devices 10 havingunique communication addresses. Thus, in order to interact with adesired amusement device 10, some unique information about the desiredamusement device 10, such as its location, serial number or otheridentifier, must be known. If this information is known to the user, itmay be provided to the forwarding agent by the user. Otherwise, theforwarding agent may suggest venues and/or amusement devices 10, asdescribed herein.

Referring to FIG. 3A, a sequence diagram showing communications forchecking into a venue having one or more amusement devices 10 is shown.A user 42 initiates the check-in process by activating the applicationor web-site for the amusement device network on the portable device 11.In response, the portable device 11 determines its geographic location.If the portable device 11 includes a Global Positioning System (“GPS”)receiver, the location is preferably determined based on the GPScoordinates. Alternatively, the portable device 11 may determine itsgeographic location by any other known method for acquiring geographiclocation information, such as using signal triangulation techniques, orrequesting for a current address to be entered by the user 42. Once theportable device 11 has determined its geographic location, it transmitsa request for venues having amusement devices 10 near the geographiclocation to the central server 41.

The central server 41 receives the geographic location information fromthe portable device 11 and identifies venues having amusement devices 10near the received geographic location. The central server 41 may use anyof a plurality of techniques for identifying venues. Preferably, thecentral server 41 compiles a list of venues that are located within apredetermined distance of the received geographic location. Thepredetermined distance may be based on the general location of theportable device 10. For example, in a dense urban area having manyvenues with amusement devices 10, the predetermined distance may belimited to one (1) mile, while in a rural area, the predetermineddistance may be ten (10) miles or more. However, any other techniquesfor identifying venues near the geographic location of the portabledevice 11 may be used.

The central server 41 transmits a list of identified venues to theportable device 11. The portable device 11 displays the list of venuesto the user 42. An example of a list of venues presented on a portabledevice 11 is shown with reference to FIG. 3B. The list of venues ispreferably presented as an ordered list based on the distance of thevenue from the geographic location determined by the portable device 11.The list of venues may alternatively or additionally be presented to theuser 42 by displaying a map showing the locations of the venues. The mapmay be generated using an application programming interface (“API”) suchas the GOOGLE MAPS API.

The user 42 selects one of the displayed venues from the list of venues(FIG. 3B) by clicking, touching, or tapping on the desired venue choice.In response, the portable device 11 may optionally provide an additionalscreen showing details for the selected venue, as shown in FIG. 3C. Thedetails may include, for example, the number of other individualschecked in at the location and a map showing the location. The detailsmay optionally include information about the amusement devices 10believed to be deployed at the venue, such as whether the amusementdevices 10 deployed at the location are properly operating, whether theamusement devices 10 are currently being utilized, and, if so, mayoptionally describe the content being played on the respective amusementdevices 10. Additionally, the details may include the content availableto be played on the amusement devices 10. For example, where anamusement device 10 includes a music playback service, typically knownas a jukebox, the details screen may include a listing of the musicalcompositions available to be played on the amusement device 10.

Once the desired venue has been selected by the user 42, the userpreferably presses a button to check into the selected venue, as shownin FIG. 3C. Returning to FIG. 3A, the portable device 11 transmits theselected venue information to the central server 41. The central server41 then associates the portable device 11 with the selected venue. WhileFIG. 3A describes the portable device 11 as being associated with thevenue, where the user 42 has a player account for the amusement devicenetwork, the central server 41 preferably associates the user's playeraccount with the selected venue.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a sequence diagram illustrating communicationsfor selecting an amusement device 10 in a venue having multipleamusement devices 10 is described. The central server 41 determineswhether the selected venue has more than one amusement device 10 andidentifies all of the available amusement devices 10 at the selectedvenue. Where there is a single amusement device 10 deployed at thevenue, all interactivity is necessarily performed with the singleamusement device 10. However, where there are multiple amusement devices10, the central server 41 may automatically determine which amusementdevice 10 the user 42 will interact with based on considerations such asload balancing and the status of the various amusement devices 10.Alternatively, the user 42 may pick one of the amusement devices 10 byinteracting with it, such as by selecting unique indicia identifying theamusement device 10. The unique indicia may be a barcode, MAC address,serial number, IP address, or the like. Preferably, the barcode is atwo-dimensional barcode such as a QR code.

Returning again to FIG. 4, the list of amusement devices 10 istransmitted to the portable device 11 and is displayed to the user 42.The user 42 optionally reviews the status of each of the amusementdevices 10, as described above, and uses the portable device 11 toselect one of the amusement devices 10 to interact with. The portabledevice 11 transmits the selected amusement device information to thecentral server 41, which associates the selected amusement device 10with the portable device 11 (or with the player account of user 42). Incertain embodiments, a venue may be selected followed by an amusementdevice 10 within the selected venue, as shown in FIGS. 3A and 4. Inother embodiments, an amusement device 10 may be selected without firstselecting a venue. Thus, the processes of venue selection and amusementdevice 10 selection of FIGS. 3A and 4 may be performed independently.

Referring now to FIG. 5A, a sequence diagram illustrating communicationsfor remotely interacting with the selected amusement device 10 isdescribed. The central server 42 requests the status of the amusementdevice 10. The amusement device 10 checks its current status, determinesthe services available to remote users and transmits the information tothe central server 42. Alternatively, the central server 41 maydetermine the available services for the amusement device 10 based onthe received status information and, optionally, also based oninformation about the user 42, such as that found in the player accountof user 42. The central server 42 then transmits a list of availableservices, along with status information to the portable device 11 to bedisplayed to the user 42, as shown in FIG. 5B. The user reviews theavailable services and selects one or more of the services using theportable device 11. The portable device 11 transmits the selectedservice information to the central server 42. Upon receiving theselected service information, the central server 42 optionally updatesthe player account of user 42. The updating may be, for example,debiting or crediting an account balance based on the service desired.The central server 42 then transmits a service request message to theamusement device 10. The communications between the central server 42and the amusement device 10 may use any protocol, but preferably areperformed using a secured connection. Even more preferably, the centralserver 42 and the amusement device 10 maintain a long-lived HTTPconnection that allows for pushing and pulling of data and reduces theneed for periodic polling by the amusement device 10 of the centralserver 42 (or vice versa). The amusement device 10 receives the servicerequest and fulfils it when possible. Where the amusement device 10 isidle, the service may be fulfilled immediately upon receiving thecommunication from the central server 42. However, in other cases, theservice may be queued to be fulfilled at a later time, such as where asong request is added to a playlist of songs requested by other patronsor user 5.

A wide range of services may be available to the user 42 to be remotelyfulfilled by the amusement device 10. The range of services depends, inpart, on the capabilities of the amusement device 10, the settings ofthe amusement device 10, the player account of the user 42, thecapabilities and settings of the central server 42, and the like.Generally, the available services are determined based on the businessjudgment of an owner/operator of the venue at which the amusement device10 has been deployed. Examples of services that may be availableremotely include the aforementioned media jukebox, displaying scoreinformation for games playable on the amusement device 10, live look-insinto games being played by other patrons or users on the amusementdevice 10, demos of games available to be played on the amusement device10, multiplayer mode allowing the user 42 to play games available on theamusement device 10 against competitors using the amusement device 10,and the like.

Operation of the jukebox mode of an amusement device 10 will now bedescribed. The portable device 11 may display a listing of availablesongs to be played on the selected amusement device 10. The songs arepreferably organized by artist, album, or the like and playlists ofsongs may be available for searching and/or browsing by the user 42. Theuser 42 may be allowed to create personal playlists of songs for easyaccess during future interaction with the selected amusement device 10or other amusement devices 10 within the amusement device network.Additionally, the central server 41 may track the user's 42 favoritesongs and make those songs easily accessible to the user 42. When theuser 42 selects a song to be played, the user's player account balanceis debited for the amount the song costs to play. If the selectedamusement device 10 has a queue of songs to be played, the user 42 maybe offered the opportunity to move his/her song up in the queue bypaying additional credits. There may be tiers of queues with increasingpayment levels that allow the user 42 to move the desired song ahead ofsongs in the lower tier playlists.

The interactivity data compiled by the central server 42 fromcommunications with various portable devices 11 may be used to improvethe accuracy of the database of venue and amusement device 10 locationinformation. Referring to FIG. 6, a flowchart illustrating steps forupdating the database of amusement device 10 location information isdescribed. At step 600, a plurality of amusement devices 10 are deployedat a plurality of venues in a plurality of geographic locations. At step605, the database of amusement device 10 locations is populated based onthe deployments, as well as based on the location information providedby owners and/or operators of the amusement devices 10 and the venueowners/operators at which the amusement devices 10 are deployed.Preferably, the database includes each of the deployed amusement devices10 with a unique identifier such as a serial number, MAC address, or thelike. For each of the venues at which an amusement device 10 isdeployed, a venue name and a geographic location is stored. Thegeographic location may be stored based on, for example, the streetaddress or geographic coordinates of the venue.

At step 610, a request to check into a venue is received from a portabledevice 11, as described with respect to FIG. 3A. At step 615, thecheck-in request is analyzed to identify one or more amusement devices10 associated with the check-in request. Next, at step 620, it isdetermined whether the amusement device 10 has been verified in alocation database of the amusement device 10 network operator. At step620, if the amusement device 10 is verified, the process proceeds tostep 640 and the portable device 11 is associated with the amusementdevice 10. However, if at step 620 the amusement device 10 has not beenverified, the process proceeds to step 630, where it is determined ifthere is indicia of an interaction with the amusement device 10 at thevenue. For example, the user 42 using a portable device 11 to scan a QRcode of the amusement device 10 or the user 42 entering a serial numberof the amusement device 10 are indicia of interaction with the amusementdevice 10. When such an interaction is available, at step 635, thedatabase of location information is updated if the venue to which theuser 42 is checking in matches the information stored in the databasefor the venue at which the amusement device 10 is deployed. However, ifthe information does not match, the database is not updated and theportable device 11 is associated with the venue and the database oflocation information is not updated at step 640. Once the locationinformation for an amusement device 10 has been verified by receivingthe physical interaction information from the portable device 11, thedatabase may store information identifying the amusement device 10 asbeing a verified location. Preferably, the verification lasts for apredetermined period of time and periodically (or randomly) becomesunverified, again requiring a user 42 to verify the amusement device 10by interacting with it, as described above. The amusement device 10 mayalso become unverified when a complaint is logged to the central server41 from a user 42, such as when the user 42 has requested that theamusement device 10 perform a service that is not fulfilled orspecifically that the amusement device 10 is physically not present atthe location.

If at step 635 it is determined that a geographic location of theportable device 11 does not match the location information stored forthe amusement device 10 in the location database, the location databasemay be updated with the new location information. Alternatively, the newlocation information may be stored to be verified by the central server41, a central authority, amusement device 10 owner/operator or venueowner/operator, or the like at a later time.

In a second embodiment, when geographic location information for thecheck-in request is available at step 620, the location of the amusementdevice stored in the database populated in step 605 is compared with thegeographic location information received with the check-in request. Itis then determined whether the locations match, or if the locations arewithin a predetermined error bounds of one another. If the locationsmatch, the check-in request is fulfilled and the portable device 11 isassociated with the venue.

In the case where it is determined that the locations do not match, thelocation information for the amusement device 10 may be updated in thedatabase. Preferably, when the locations do not match, it is furtherdetermined whether the portable device 11 is located proximate to theamusement device 10. A plurality of techniques for making thisdetermination are available. First, it may be determined whether theuser 42 is attempting to request a service of the amusement device 10that requires the user 42 to be present at the location. One suchservice is the jukebox music player, as it is unlikely that the user 42would request a play of a song when he or she is not in the venue wherethe song would be played.

Second, it may be determined whether the user 42 has recently physicallyinteracted with the requested amusement device 10. This may be done bydetermining whether the user's 42 player account has been accessed fromthe requested amusement device 10 within a predetermined amount of timeprior to receiving the check-in request. For example, if it isdetermined that five minutes prior to receiving the check-in request,the user's 42 player account was recorded to be playing a game on theamusement device 10, it is likely that the user 42 is still at the samevenue.

Another technique may be to require the user 42 to enter an identifierof the amusement device 10 after determining the user's geographiclocation. For example, the user 42 may be requested to scan a QR code orenter a serial number of the amusement device 10. To encourage suchbehavior, a bonus such as a credit or free play may be provided fordoing so. When it is determined that the location of the portable device11 is proximate to the requested amusement device 10, the database isupdated in step 635 with the new amusement device 10 locationinformation. The portable device 11 is then associated with the venue atstep 640.

In alternative embodiments, where it cannot be definitively determinedthat the user 42 is at the same location as the amusement device 10, thelocation information associated with the check-in may be stored withoutupdating the location listed in the database for the amusement device10. Thereafter, when additional check-in requests associated with theamusement device 10 are received, the central server 42 determineswhether the new check-in requests have geographic location matching thegeographic location of the first check-in request. The database is thenupdated when the geographic locations of a predetermined number ofcheck-in requests match or a threshold necessary to update the locationstored in the database is reached.

Referring now to FIG. 7, a sequence diagram illustrating thecommunications for updating the database of amusement device 10 locationinformation is described. The portable device 11 transmits geographiclocation information to the central server 41. The central server 41looks up venues near the received geographic location in a locationdatabase 43. The location database 43 identifies venues near thegeographic location of the portable device 11 and returns a list of thematching venues to the central server 41. The list is transmitted to theportable device 11, where a user (not shown) selects one of the venues,as described above with reference to FIG. 3A. The central server 41receives the selection of the venue from the portable device 11 and, ifnecessary (e.g., if there are more than one devices at the selectedvenue), looks up devices at the selected venue. The location database 43identifies matching devices and returns a list to the central server 41.

The central server 41 then transmits a request to the portable device 11for an interaction with the amusement device 10 located at the selectedvenue. The user uses the portable device 11 to perform the requestedinteraction, such as scanning a QR code associated with the amusementdevice 10 or entering a serial number of the amusement device 10. Theportable device 11 transmits indicia of this interaction to the centralserver 41. The central server 41 determines whether to verify theamusement device 10 based on the received indicia and transmits arequest to update the location database 43 for the selected amusementdevice 10. The location database 43 stores indicia of the verificationof amusement device 10.

In another embodiment, where location information is available, thecentral server 41 determines the proximity of the portable device 11 toat least one of the matching devices and compares the geographiclocation information of the portable device 11 to the locationinformation stored for the device and/or the venue stored in thelocation database 43. The central server 41 then determines whether thegeographic location information for the device and/or the venue shouldbe updated in the location database 43, as described with reference toFIG. 6. If the location information needs to be updated in the locationdatabase 43, the location information is transmitted to the locationdatabase 43 by the central server 41. The location database 43 thenupdates the location information for the device and/or the venue.

In some cases, a user 42 may visit a venue having an amusement device 10that is not listed in the location database 43. The user 42 may interactwith the amusement device 10 by inputting an indicia of the amusementdevice 10. The central server 41 may transmit a request to the portabledevice 11 of the user 42 to enter the venue name of the venue at whichthe amusement device 10 is deployed or to select the venue name from alist of possible venue names that are located near the user's 42geographic location. The list of venue names may, for example, beacquired from a points of interest database such as GOOGLE MAPS. Thecentral server 41 may then add the new venue and amusement device 10location information to the location database 43. Preferably, the venueis added when the portable device 11 has provided current geographiclocation information for the venue.

FIG. 8A illustrates schematically various embodiments of implementing anamusement system 1000 including one or more amusement devices 10. Agaming location 8 may, for example, house one or more amusement devices10 that may each be individually in communication with a central server41. The central server 41 is typically geographically remote from theamusement device 10.

The gaming location 8 may also have a central communication hub 22,enabling the communication between all of the amusement devices 10housed therein with the central server 41. In this embodiment, thecentral server 41 may communicate with the central communication hub 22to perform load balancing of requests from multiple portable devices 11such that no single amusement device 10 is overburdened with the remoteinteraction requests. In another alternative arrangement, as shown inFIG. 8B, the gaming location 8 may house its own local server 23, whichperforms all of the functions listed above with respect to the centralserver 41 and/or the computing device 11 for all of the local amusementdevices 10. The local server 23 may be housed in gaming location 8 andneed not be remote to every amusement device 10.

The amusement devices 10 may be connected to their corresponding servers41, 23 through conventional communication configurations, such as a LAN,WAN, or the like. In one preferred embodiment, an amusement device 10may connect to the central server 41 via the Internet. It is thusunderstood by those skilled in the art that the amusement system 1000 isnot limited to the arrangements described above, and may include anyconfiguration wherein a user account for obtaining playable credits ismaintained.

The amusement device 10 may also include other functionality andfeatures such as music jukebox, video jukebox, multimedia player,Internet browsing, broadcast media viewing, time based rental mode,non-prize tournaments, prize-based tournaments, head-to-headcompetitions, prize-based lotteries, ticket dispensing, prizedispensing, debit/credit card charging, phone card dispensing, e-mail,photography, placing customer orders, communicating with other amusementdevices 10, and the like.

The amusement device 10 may also provide for remote or local access foraccounting and/or bookkeeping purposes. The amusement device 10 mayinclude a local connector for uploading to a hand-held or portablecomputer or removable memory for receiving accounting or other data. Theamusement device 10 may include accounting and bookkeeping screensaccessible by an operator through set up screens and/or through passwordprotection.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes could bemade to the embodiments described above without departing from the broadinventive concepts thereof. It is understood, therefore, that thisinvention is not limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but itis intended to cover modifications within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of improving accuracy of a database ofamusement device locations, the method comprising: a) deploying aplurality of amusement devices at a plurality of locations; b)populating the database of amusement device locations based on thedeploying of step (a); c) receiving, by a server over a network, from aportable device, a check-in request, the check-in request associatedwith one of the amusement devices, and including geographic locationinformation associated with the portable device at the time the check-inrequest is made; d) comparing, by the server, the geographic locationinformation received from the portable device with the location of theamusement device stored in the database; e) transmitting, by the server,to the portable device a request to enter an indicia of an interactionwith the amusement device, wherein the indicia comprises an identifierunique to the amusement device; and f) updating, by the server, thedatabase based, at least in part, on the comparing of step (d).
 2. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising determining whether the locationof the amusement device associated with the check-in has been verifiedin the database prior to the comparing of step (d).
 3. The method ofclaim 2, wherein in the case that the location of the amusement devicehas not been verified, the method further comprises determining thatindicia of an interaction with the amusement device has been receivedfrom the portable device, and thereafter performing step (e).
 4. Themethod of claim 3, wherein the indicia of the interaction is a scan bythe portable device of a barcode on the amusement device.
 5. The methodof claim 4, wherein the barcode encodes the unique identifier associatedwith the amusement device.
 6. The method of claim 3, wherein the indiciaof the interaction is entry of the unique identifier associated with theamusement device by a user associated with the portable device.
 7. Themethod of claim 2, further comprising periodically unverifying verifiedamusement devices in the database.
 8. The method of claim 2, wherein theupdating step (e) further comprises determining by the server that thegeographic location information received with the first check-in requestdoes not match the location information stored in the database for theamusement device, and storing the received geographic locationinformation in the database.
 9. A method of improving accuracy of adatabase of amusement device locations, the method comprising: a)deploying a plurality of amusement devices at a plurality of locations,each of the plurality of amusement devices associated with a uniqueidentifier that is accessible to venue patrons; b) populating thedatabase of amusement device locations with the plurality of locationsat which the plurality of amusement devices have been deployed in step(a); c) receiving, by a server over a network, interaction data from aportable device associated with one of the venue patrons, the receivedinteraction data including (i) indicia of an interaction comprising aunique identifier associated with an amusement device, and (ii)geographic location information associated with the portable device atthe time of the interaction; and d) updating, by the server, thedatabase of amusement device locations based on the indicia ofinteraction and the received geographic location information.
 10. Themethod of claim 9, wherein the unique identifier is encoded in a barcodeon the amusement device.
 11. The method of claim 10, wherein the barcodeis a QR code.
 12. The method of claim 11, wherein the indicia ofinteraction is generated by a camera of the portable device scanning theQR code to decode the unique identifier.
 13. The method of claim 9,wherein the updating of step (d) further comprises determining that thelocation of the amusement device has not been verified within apredetermined period of time.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein theupdating of step (d) further comprises comparing location informationassociated with the amusement device stored in the database of amusementdevice locations with the received geographic location information. 15.The method of claim 14, further comprising: e) marking the location ofthe amusement device as being verified in response to the updating ofstep (d).
 16. The method of claim 9, wherein the indicia of interactionis generated by a user entering the unique identifier associated withthe amusement device into the portable device.
 17. The method of claim9, wherein the plurality of amusement devices are deployed at aplurality of distinct venues, and the database of amusement devicelocations stores names of the venues associated with the plurality oflocations at which the amusement devices have been deployed.
 18. Amethod of updating a database of amusement device locations, the methodcomprising: a) deploying a plurality of amusement devices at a pluralityof distinct venues; b) populating the database of amusement devicelocations with the plurality of venues at which the plurality ofamusement devices have been deployed; c) receiving, by a server over anetwork, indicia of an interaction with a first amusement device from aportable device, wherein the indicia comprises an identifier unique tothe first amusement device; d) determining, by the server, that thefirst amusement device is not associated with the correct venue name inthe database of amusement device locations; e) transmitting, by theserver, a request to the portable device to select a venue name from alist of venue names of the venue at which the first amusement device isdeployed; and f) updating, by the server, the database of amusementdevice locations with the provided venue name.
 19. The method of claim13, further comprising: g) receiving, by the server, a geographiclocation of the portable device at the time of the interaction with theamusement device, and h) updating, by the server, the database ofamusement device locations with the received geographic location of theamusement device.